7 minute read
Volunteers Make A Difference In
VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN DENTON COUNTY
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by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads
Recently, we had the opportunity to thank the many volunteers who donated their time and energy to help make our Denton County Vaccination Hub at Texas Motor Speedway (TMS) a tremendous success.
We gave more than 371,700 vaccinations to residents across the region, providing a good base toward herd immunity following more than a year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
These volunteers came from across the U.S. – from Alaska to Arkansas as well as from many of our neighboring counties and the communities within the county. The Texas National Guard, FEMA, and other organizations sent volunteers to our hub. recipient shed tears of relief at receiving a much-desired vaccine.
On May 14, we recognized their valiant efforts on the last day at TMS, providing a barbecue meal, music, a slideshow of photos, giveaways including challenge coins, tumblers and t-shirts, and, most importantly, an opportunity to meet each other and collectively celebrate their commitment to helping others.
In the 16 weeks at TMS THESE from Feb. 2 through May VOLUNTEERS 14, we were able to create Police officers, firefighters, CONTRIBUTED a system that ensured and EMTs spent countless hours directing traffic, drawing vaccine into syringes, giving shots, and monitoring vaccine recipients for reactions. 47,424 HOURS, SAVING COUNTY TAXPAYERS AN ESTIMATED $1,145,757. efficiency, easy access, and equitable distribution of a vaccine that would set the foundation for a return to normalcy. Each of the estimated 8,120 Our volunteers welcomed volunteers who assisted in this effort can individuals with a smile, dancing as they take credit for their contributions to the directed traffic to stay warm in wintry good of humanity and to helping their weeks and offering comfort when a fellow residents in a time of need. These volunteers contributed 47,424 hours, saving county taxpayers an estimated $1,145,757. Never before in the history of our county, which is celebrating 175 years of existence this year, have we come together in such a fashion for a common purpose.
This effort demonstrated how a county of almost 1 million residents reached for the stars in setting a goal of vaccinating as many individuals as possible in a manner that has caught the attention of not only the White House but even national and international media.
Agencies across the U.S. as well as from neighboring counties visited our operation to determine how they could replicate our efficiencies in vaccinating large groups of individuals safely.
Our clinics set national records, we believe, vaccinating first 15,000-plus and then 17,003 individuals in a single day. With careful precision, we were able to avoid injuries in spite of moving thousands of cars into the clinic, through 16 lanes and back out every hour.
While we are no longer at TMS, these efforts continue on a smaller scale in neighborhood clinics across Denton County to ensure those who want the COVID-19 vaccine receive it. Recently, we opened the appointment system to provide more options for recipients to schedule their own dates and times among the available clinics in an attempt to make it more accessible for all.
We will never be able to thank our volunteers and staff enough for their outstanding efforts. However, we can all know that in this 175th year of existence, Denton County proved without any doubt that, together, we are all
#DentonCountyStrong.
CONNECT WITH US
If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you. 940.349.2820 | andy.eads@dentoncounty.com | www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup
RESTORING Beautiful, Healthy SMILES
by Jean Eisenmann | photography by Your Candid Memories (YourCandidMemories.com)
photographed above is Dr. John Shillingburg of DFW Oral Surgeons
972.539.1491 www.dfworalsurgeons.com 4421 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 100 Flower Mound, TX 75028
Abeautiful smile is everything. It’s the most important thing we put on every day. However, most people need help achieving that perfect smile, sometimes due to illness or traumatic injury. How fortunate for Denton County residents to have DFW Oral Surgeons right here in Flower Mound to give you that perfect smile, no matter how complex the procedure might be to achieve it. Contained within the walls of this practice is a complete outpatient surgery center dedicated to diagnosing and skillfully treating any mouth and jaw condition.
Owner, Dr. John Shillingburg, an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, expertly performs procedures typically not done in a general dentist office. This includes full-mouth dental implants, jaw reconstruction, complicated sinus lifts, and wisdom teeth extraction. In addition to being a gifted surgeon, Dr. Shillingburg’s genuine care and concern for his patients is unsurpassed and a huge testament to his character.
“My love for people and desire to help them get through a difficult situation with absolute comfort is what drives me to be the best I can be,” Dr. Shillingburg said with great sincerity.
Inside DFW Oral Surgeons, the immaculately clean environment strikes you as being a brand-new facility.
“The staff are committed to keeping our office spotless, so patients can trust that they are going to be treated in a pristine environment,” Dr. Shillingburg explained. He continued, “It’s safer for the patient to be in an actual outpatient surgery center like this – a completely sterile environment equipped with a bonafide operating room and supported by a state-of-the-
art generator. We never once lost power throughout last February’s severe winter storm, and we were available to treat patients who really needed us.”
His talent as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon — confident to perform even the most complicated procedures — is validated by his long list of credentials: Board-certified oral and maxillofacial
surgeon, trained and credentialed in dentoalveolar surgery, facial cosmetic surgery, implant surgery, orthognathic surgery, facial reconstructive oral surgery, and dental anesthesiology. In addition, Dr. Shillingburg holds membership with the American Dental Association and is a Diplomate of both the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
To implement his procedures, Dr. Shillingburg uses only state-of-the-art, cutting edge equipment. The X-Guide, for one, is an enhanced, computerassisted way of performing implant surgeries that digitally pre-plans them. A revolutionary 3D turn-by-turn navigation system improves the precision and accuracy of implant position, angle, and depth. Dr. Shillingburg can watch the drill as it tunnels through the bone, making it easier to bypass adjacent nerves, blood vessels, and teeth.
“If there is anything that really elevates us as a practice, it’s that device,” he concluded.
Another piece of high-tech equipment is their 100% digital 3Shape Intraoral Scanner, with which full-mouth impressions can be completed in minutes.
One of Dr. Shillingburg’s most popular procedures is the All-on-4 Dental Implant Treatment.
“It has become the preferred method over dentures for someone who has lost most or all of their teeth...” “I want people to leave our office saying, ‘He really cares about me.’
“It has become the preferred method over dentures for someone who has lost most or all of their teeth, or their teeth are badly broken down, and they want a fully functional set of permanently fixed teeth,” he said. “The process involves the patient receiving a full arch of prosthetic teeth with only four dental implants on the top and four on the bottom, replacing the lengthy and painful method of the past. Best of all, this can be accomplished in one day.”
From an early age, Dr. Shillingburg’s love for working with his hands and his interest in the sciences ultimately led him to dental school. His natural aptitude for the science of dentistry grew into a love for oral surgery.
“I was accepted into the prestigious Brooke Army Center Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery program while I was on active duty with the U.S. Army,” he reflected. Subsequently, after completing his residency in 2005, Dr. Shillingburg again served in the Army, this time as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He added, “I cared for many wounded soldiers in an environment where we were extremely concerned about safety. I performed a lot of surgeries, so it was a great place to receive training and experience, all while I was doing some good.”
Dr. Shillingburg and his talented staff continuously seek to improve the patient experience and build a foundation of trust. “My goal is to give each patient at least 110% every time,” he affirmed. “I want people to leave our office saying, ‘He really cares about me.’
